Steve McQueen, BBC Developing Drama Series On The Black Experience In Britain

British director Steve McQueen is headed to the BBC. The 12 Years A Slave helmer is working on a “major drama,” according to BBC Controller Ben Stephenson, who told Deadline, “It is incredibly exciting to be working with the hugely talented British director who has rapidly become one of the finest directors in the world.” The news was first reported by The Daily Mail‘s Baz Bamigboye, who says the director told him the West London-set series would explore the black experience in Britain as seen by a group of friends and their families from 1968 to today. McQueen noted, “I don’t think there has been a serious drama series in Britain with black people from all walks of life as the main protagonists.” The series, described as “epic” in scope, is being developed with Rainmark Films (Muhammad Ali’s Greatest Fight) and will air on either BBC One or BBC Two, although it is expected to take at least another year. This would be the director’s first drama series. 12 Years A Slave has been earning prizes this awards season and is nominated for multiple Golden Globes and BAFTAs.